Sugar Ray Leonard: on his new wife Bernadette, his failed marriage, and his new acting career - Cover Story

Ebony, Nov, 1993 by Lynn Norment

Still trim and fit, he exercises for several hours every morning -- jogging and playing tennis with Bernadette, working out in his gym, or golfing. He is also a voracious reader and spends a lot of time with his sons, Ray Jr., 19, a student at Georgia Tech, and Jarrell, 9, who lives in Atlanta with his mother. "I tell my sons to never take anything for granted," he says, "that education is the key to release the shackles of slavery, be it years ago or today."

It is the same principle his father instilled in him. "Education and self-respect," adds Leonard. "Perseverance and belief in myself. And never walk over anybody."

Leonard also has a great concern for America's youth, and that's why he is active with the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and spends a lot of time working with teens and encouraging them to stay physically fit and away from gangs and violence. "Some people look down on boxing as barbaric, but it's a wonderful sport," he says. "It has enabled me to have an incredible life, not just materialistically, but because I've been exposed to so much and I've been able to give back. The gratitude I get back from helping people, kids in particular, is worth more than everything I've done. I'm truly happy."

With a beautiful new wife, a lovely home, an exciting new career and a positive outlook on life, Sugar Ray Leonard believes he has made the greatest, comeback of all.